Originally 44 (down 4) entries split in to 4 geographical zones with 12 in each of the Northern sections and 10 in each of the Southern Sections. The total subsequently became 47 when three late entries were accepted.

There was one new entry - Oxfordshire Senior League, but five leagues had not re-entered - Anglian Combination, Brighton, Hove & District League, Midland Football Combination (Div 1), Northampton Town League and Nottinghamshire Senior League, however three of these (Anglian, Brighton and Northampton) were subsequently added after the draw was published.

Entries closed Tuesday 27th November 2012

Draw released Wednesday 5th December 2012

Subsquently (5th March 2013) the acceptance of three late entries was announced from the five non entries above. The Anglian Combination, Brighton, Hove & District League and Northampton Town League were all added to the draw. This would consequently mean re-arranging the geographical allocations of the byes initially announced.

The Northampton Town League would host the Anglian Combination with the Brighton, Hove & District League receiving a bye.

The F.A. therefore re-named the Preliminary Round the Extra Preliminary Round as they now had to arrange a Preliminary Round of just two ties in order to reduce the numbers to 32 to fit with the original plan.

The 13 Extra Preliminary Round winners joined the 19 byes in the Preliminary Round (28 of whom received byes) with the two previous finalists (Jersey and Isle of Man) exempt to the First Round.

North-West (4) Isle of Man League (exempt to First Round as finalists) Cumberland County League Humber Premier League Liverpool County Premier League

North-East (4) Bedfordshire County League Birmingham & District A.F.A. Lincolnshire League West Yorkshire League

South-East (7) Amateur Football Combination Hertfordshire Senior County League Mid Sussex League Southern Amateur League Surrey Elite Intermediate League Worthing & District League Brighton, Hove & District League (late addition)

South-West (6) Jersey Football Combination (exempt to First Round as holders) Devon & Exeter League Dorset Premier League Guernsey Football League Hampshire Premier League Wiltshire Football League

PRELIMINARY ROUND (to be completed by Saturday 14th September)

Draw released Friday 17th May

North-East 01 Lincolnshire League v West Yorkshire League - Saturday 7th September 3.00 at Boston United 2-1 South-East 02 Brighton, Hove & District League v Mid Sussex League - Saturday 14th September 2.00 at Shoreham 3-1

North 01 Lincolnshire League v Humber Premier League - Saturday 25th January 3.00 at Lincoln United 0-2 02 Isle of Man League v West Riding County Amateur League - Saturday 25th January 2.00 at The Bowl, Douglas 3-1 South 03 Dorset Premier League v Jersey Football Combination - Saturday 25th January 2.00 at Weymouth 1-0 04 Surrey Elite Intermediate League v Worthing & District League - Saturday 25th January 3.00 at Corinthian Casuals (cancelled) changed to Herts Senior County League v Worthing & District League - Saturday 8th February 3.00 at Colney Heath P-P Saturday 15th Feb 1.30 at Bushey Sports Club 3-0

SEMI-FINALS (to be completed by Saturday 22nd March)

Draw released Monday 27th January

01 Herts Senior County League v Dorset Premier League - Saturday 22nd March 3.00 at Colney Heath 4-2 AET (2-2) 02 Humber Premier League v Isle of Man League - Saturday 22nd March 2.00 at North Ferriby United 1-2 FINAL (to be played on Saturday 26th April)

Draw released Friday 28th February

01 Isle of Man League v Herts Senior County League - Saturday 10th May 3.00 at The Bowl, Douglas 3-2

The knock on effect is that the regional allocation of the byes will need changing when the draw for the next round is made as Brighton can hardly be included in the North-East or North-West sections where there were "vacancies"

In fairness to them they are my "nearest" possible zonal labels based on the usual system they use. I expect the draw for the next round might make better geographical sense, albeit clouded by their acceptance of three late entries.

Squad for The FA Inter League Cup MatchManager Steve Lloyd has today announced the following squad for The FA Inter League Cup Extra Preliminary Round match between The Cheshire League and The Northern Football Alliance to be played on Saturday 13 April 2013, kick off 2pm, at Witton Albion FC.

I love the fact that as well as stating "shirt and league tie" they feel the need to specify trousers. A nicely understated comment on the yoof of today... No mention of smart shoes though, perhaps that's takings things too far :)

In a very tight end to end game with few clear cut chances to either side, The Cheshire League defeated the Northern Football Alliance 1:0 with a goal from Ged McAllister in the 64th minute.

Match Report

Cheshire started their campaign after last season's exploits with a tough Prelim against a very good Northern Alliance side who were represented by Carlisle City. The early exchanges were limited to the midfield but Cheshire nearly went in front after 8 minutes when Chris Quirk's volley was saved by the visitors keeper. After this, chances were at a premium as the game was played out in the midfield with passes going astray and the strong wind and driving rain not helping both sides.

HT 0-0

The second half continued in the same vein, Paul Alcock fired a right foot shot that was comfortably saved again by the Alliance keeper. The game was being battled out in the middle third of the pitch and one goal was going to decide the game. On 64 minutes, it was the home side who got the crucial goal when a superb break from Chris Latham resulted in Ged McAllister side footing home from 8 yards. The Northern Alliance then threw everything they could at Cheshire but the home side stood firm to progress.